BIThERN PRESS ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 MARCH 2025 Cliaril>' RegiislLI'cd ii().' l ?l)?105
BIThERN PRESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Trustees are plcascd to present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. RFFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAIIS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISORS Status The organisation is it charitable company limit¢d by guarantee, registered in England and Wal¢5. Trllstees Th¢ dircctors of the charilable Company (the charity) are its tntteS for the purpose ot.the charity law. The iTUStces and officers serving throughout the year were as follows: Christine Marga1 Airey Simon Peter AiTey Kenn¢th William Baird Moira Pom¢roy Berntt (resigned 24 July 2025) Gilltan Bum)ws Dr Philip Reed ChAiman Dr Philip Reed Banker8 Barclays Bank UK plc 2(P21 Cornhill Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 IDY Soli¢itors Brdbners LLP Horton House Ex¢hange Flags Exchange Street E Liverpool L2 3YL
BlERN PRESS FINMCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 CONTENTS page R¢port of the Trustees Statement of Tnistees, Responsibilities Statem¢nt of Financial Activities Statement of Financial Position Notes to the Financial Slat¢ments 9-12 Incom¢ and ExndituTe Account 13
BrrTERN PRESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES REPORT The Trustees present their report tog¢iher wilh the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The ftnancial stafrm¢nts comply with the Charities Act 2011; th¢ Companies Act 21X)6 the Constitution and Reporting by Chariltcs: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing ihetr accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applithle in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRSI 02) (effective l JanuAry 2025). Our puryose 4ctlvltl* The charity's putwse is to advknce education of thc public in the arts. parttcularly. but not exclusively. in the subject of music in SLEch ways as the charity thinks fiL including (without prejudice to the generality of the for¢going): The publication and national and internalional distribution of books on ihe arts. The commi88ioning of such pUblItions. Undcrtaking acad¢mic SearC the result5 of which are made public. The publication of articles in journals and ¢ls¢where in any forniat. Th¢ disscmination of inforn)ation via website5 and through traditional and new medi& and The peer r¢vi¢w olpubliLations. A¢tlvlty The ¢harity was registered as a Charitsble Incorporated Organisation on 28 February 2023 and took over the &ssds donated io Bittern Press CIO. In the event of lh¢ dissolution ofthe company its members have no liability to contribute to its &ssets and no rsonal resEMmsibility for scttling its debts and liabilities. The current rnemrs of the company are its dir¢ctoTsltrustees. Organisation The charity As governed by its conslithtion, which sets out th¢ Charity's purp)se and how it is run. The number of trnstees shall not be les than three but shall not be more than twelve. The statutory power of apwinling new trustees shall apply, but if th¢T¢ no truslees in ottice to effect appointment of new trustees, such appointment shall k effected by such living person or persons who was or were first a trustee or trustees. AJ)y one trustse may, when there are more than thrcc trustees. retire as a trustee. Perforniance is gUlarlY reviewed and JEix)rts rettived by thc Board of Trustees. Trustees The present twst¢¢s and those resigning in the year are set out below: Christine Aitry Simon Airey Kenneth Baird Moira Bennett (resigned 24 Juty 2025} Gillian Burrows Dr Philip Reed
BirrERN PRESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES REPORT Investment power5 And policy Surplus sh funds of the charity not immedial¢ty r¢quir•J for its pur[xis ¢an be invested in securities or pro as may be thought fit. The trustees must review th¢ investsn¢nt policy on an annual b&sis. Revtew of tht ytar, frDcludSbg flballci revlew and plDs for fllthre perlods 'lth¢ Bittern Press was established as a charitable tncorporatcd organisation in 2023, having previously IKen active as the Befthett Book kniety/Bittern Press gihte 2011. The CIO wa5 ¢Stablished as a starting Int to increasc public understanding of the achievements of composer Benjamin Britt¢n and singer Peter Peats at Aldeburgh. Suffolk. and elsewhere. and of activities broadly related to them. The Bittern Press 5UPPOrts publications that are inher¢ntty not ¢ommercial and that requi the Bittern Press's intervention and supwrt, with the Intention of extending public knowledg¢ and understanding. In additio the Bittern Press furthers its educational objective5 through tslk4 promotion through the media and though associat¢d promotional cvcnts with the aim of reaching as many mernbers ol th¢ general public in the UK and internationally as p)ssiblc. Actlvlty to date Prior to the establlshing of the CIO, the Bennett BcK>k SocietylBitt¢rn Press published th¢ books: Moira Bennett.. Muktn¥ Musicians.. A PersonalHislory of ihe Rritten-Pears,School Moira Bennelt: Change ofKry.' Africa lo ihv Arts Steuart Bedford with Christopher Gillett: knowing Brilten Bennett's MakingMu$iciapL was met with hational and iniernational ae¢lÈim. and was one of Cl(L¥sical Music's books of the year. Redford and Gilleti'y volume was equally well received (rcviews in Opera. Gramophone and BBC Mwic Magazine) and was Presto Music's Book of the Year as well as being shurtli5ted for a presttgious Royal Philharnionic Society Award {Story-telling Category). An)und the time of publication. Moira Bennett discussed her IM)ok on BRC Radio 3's In Tune. the station's popular drive-tim¢ programme. Bedfvrd and Gill¢tt's Ik was launched at the 2022 Aldeburgh Festival at an associated conc¢rL which included particRpation from seveTal distinguished singer4 notably James Bowman and Ann Munay. There were also similar events at Opera Holland Park and Grange Park 0rn. Aetmty in 2024125 2024125 has necessarily been a y¢ar uf consolidation for the Bittern $s. During this perio4 we have developed and laun¢hed our website (bitt¢rnpress.org). which draws attention to our ¢urrenl and fijture publications and promotes our educational wo. "I'h¢ w¢bsite includes a Journal to engage wider public understanding of, and eng&gement with, our core ch2rit2bl¢ putFK)se5. We have also registered for Gift Aid and established appropyiate Annual insurance cover.
BIThERN PRESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 There are 7 proje¢ts currently active: Elizabeth Sweeting: The Best and Happiest Days: A rnemoir of the early AId¢buh Festivals by the fjrst manag¢r, and her cOrreSndenCe with Benjamin Britten Painting Britten". l (K) V15ions of His Music A Carl Loewe Song Companion Jennifer Bate, Concert Organi5t- A Companion Ludwig Hesse.. Ausflu8 Ost Eric Crozier and Nancy Evans.. Working with Britten The Letters of Frdnk Bridge to Benjamin Britte I92] Thc first three of these projccts are due Iv be published in 2026. Thc first two will be jointly launched at a prcstigious event and exhibition kn the Aldeburgh FestiVYAI in Suffolk during June. Ther¢ will also be a pr¢vicw pie£¢ in the BBC Mwic Magazine for Painling Britte The Carl Luewe Song Companion will be launched in the autumn of 2026 at a s¢ries of privaie and public song recitals in l.ondon and internationally. including LA)ndun's Wigmore Hull, thc UK'S most prestigious song-recitsl venue. and involving intcrnationally renowned singcrs such as the British baritone Roderick Williams and th¢ Gemian soprano Juliane Banse. Finxneial review The charity rccorded a defIcit during th¢ year of£1 I, which represents a dcficit on unrestricted funds. Tolal income for the year amoun*d to £72. Reserves wbli¢y It is th¢ policy of the charity to endeaVO to hold reservts in its unrestri¢ted fuhd5 in order to estsblish an appropriate level of working capitsl and to protect thc future operdtions of the charity from the effects of any unforeseen and maierial variatiotts in its income streams. as part of a policy ofgood financial management practice. Funding The trustees are satisfi¢d that the charity's assets attributed to each of its individual fvnd5 are available and dequate to fulfil it% obligation in relatioft to those funds. Ri8k management The tTUStees continue to be aware of their reswnsibilities regarding risk man&g¢ment and meet periodicalty to proftle rlsks. revicw controls already in pla¢¢ and gjnbed new controls and updat¢ existing controls to mtlig&te significant risks. Signed on beh¢ of the tnL8tees on 14 January? 2026. Dr Philip Reed Trustee
BirrERN PRESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Trusl¢¢$' responsibilities in relation to finaneial 5tatem¢nts The charity tTUSt¢es (who ar¢ also the directors of Bittern PsS for the puryK)ses of company law) are resrK)nsibl¢ for preparing a trustees, annual Teport and financial ststem¢nts in accordan¢¢ with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom G¢nerallyAcc¢pt¢d Accounting Practi¢¢). Company law requircs thc ¢harity trustees to Prepa financial statements lor each year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the group of the incoming resources and application of resources, including income and eXnditUre of the charitsble company for that year. In prcparing th¢ financial statement4 the lrnstees are requi1 to.. Select suitrdble accounting lIcIeS and then apply th¢m consistently. ObscThe methods and principl¢s of the Charities SORP. Make judgemcnts and estimale5 that are reasonable and prudent; State whether applicablc UK accounting standards have been foll(e4 subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in thc fitwicial Statemen and Prepwr the financial statements on a ¥oin8 ¢oncern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume ihat the charity will continue in business. The trustees are r¢sponsibl¢ for keeping PrOr accounting re(x)rds that dilOSe with reasonable accuracy at any time the fancial wsition of th¢ charity and to enoble them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 21)06. They are also respunsible for safeguardin8 the ats of th¢ charity and henc¢ for taking Te&8onable steps for the pr¢vLntion and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The tTU5tees are SnSIble for thc maintenance and integrity of the corpornie and finan¢ial inforniation iniluded OD tho charitable company's wcbsit¢. L£gislation in th¢ United Kingdom govcrning the prepardtion and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. By order ofthe Trustees Dr Philip Reed Trn$¢ee
BIThERN PRESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Notes Rutri¢led unT(rActed Fumds Funds 2025 Total FuDd8 2025 2025 Ineome.. Incomc from donations Income from charitsble activities: Other in¢ome Investment income 2b 72 72 Eipenditure". Cost of rdising funds Commercial tradtng operations Expendilurc on ¢haritabl¢ activities: Other expenditure Total Expenditure 83 83 83 83 Net expenditure and net movcment in funds for tht year Toial funds brought forward Tot fund8 ¢arried fonvsrd (li) 2.027 2,016 2,016 Notes Restricted U4rtstri¢ted Funds Fund8 2024 2024 Tolal Funds 2024 Incomc from donations Income fn)m charitable activities.. Other income InveStmt income 4,601 4.601 2b 270 270 Tot*1 income Expenditu.. Cost of rnising ndS C.()rnmercial tradlng operations Exkxoditure on charitsble activities: Other incume 2.844 Total Expenditure 2.844 2.844 Net incorne and net movement in funds for thc period Total funds brought forward Totsl fund$ rried fonvard 2.027 2027 The stalement of financial activiti¢s includes all gains aSKI losses regnised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activitie5.
BITfERN PRESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSMON Notes 2025 2024 Fixed a&4ets Tangible as%ts Inv¢slm¢nt5 Currettt 8sets Stocks Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 2,936 4,869 Liabilities Creditors falling due within one year Current knets 928 NetAssets 2,010 2.027 The Funds of the Charity R¢stricted inLome funds Unrestricted income funds Total FuDd$ Employed 2016 2,027 The trustees h2ve prepared the aoUnts in accordAnc¢ with scetion 138 of the Charities Act 2011. These a¢totsnts are prepared in accordan¢¢ with the special pmvisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act relating to small companles in accordance with FRS102 constitute the accounts requircd by th¢ Companies Act 2006 and for circulalion lo the MeMrS of the c.ompany. For the year covered by these accounts the Company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. Th¢ trnstees, who are directors of the Company acknowledge their responsibility for ¢nsuring the CompJny keeps acLounting records which comply with section 386 uf the Companies Act 21K)6 with rcspcct to aUntIng records and the prepardtion of financial statanents. The notes on pag¢s 9 to 13 forni part of these accounts. Approved on behalf of the trustees on 14 January, 2026. Dr Philip Reed TThgtee
BITTERN PRESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES l Accounting polKies Basis of PreratiO The fmancial statements have iwi prepared in acu>rthce with Accounting and Re1ing by Charities." Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing accounts in a¢wnknice the Fin8n¢ial Rew)rting Standard applicable to the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective l January 2015)- {Chariti¢s SORP (FRS 102)). thc Filn¢la1 Reporting Standard applicabl¢ in the UK and the liepublic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 21)06. Bittern Press meets the definition of a public benefit ¢ntity under FRS102. Asscts and liabilities are initially recogni5ed at hislorical cost or transaction value unless otheTwise Stat in the relevant EK)11 note(s}. Goi4% eotteern The trustees have reviewed the funding r¢quircments of the charity for the next 12 months and concluded that the charily 15 able to continue operations within existing funding facilities. 'll)¢ ISt¢C5 confinn that the goin8 concern basis of prepmtion of the financial Statements remains appropriate. Income Dott#tioDs and legacie5 All monetary donations and gifts are included in full in the statement of fmancial activities when receivable, provided that there are no donor-imposcd restrictions to the timftng of related ¢xpcndittir¢, in which c recognition is deferred until the prewnditioll has been met. Other IDcome Other inwming resou¢$ are included in thc statement of financial activities when reLeivable. Investnll1 income Investment income. including associated in¢ome tax recoveri4 is recognised when re¢¢ivable. Expenditu Expenditurc, which is ¥harged on an accrua]s b&8is, is allocated between: expenditure incurred directly iTt an effort to raise Volunt contributions (fundraising and publicity) expenditure incurr&J on charitable ¥tivities. Fllnd A¢couDtillg Unrestricted funds are available lo spend on a¢tivitie5 to fuTther any of the purposes of the chaTÉty. Restricted funds are donations the donor has spe¢ified are to be used for particular 8rea5 of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the Chartty. Expenditure for the purposes is ched to the fvnd. together with a fair allocation of overheads and support wsts. Taxation The charity is exempt t&x on income and gains fallin8 Within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1998 or section 252 of the"laxation ofchargeabl¢ Gains Act 1992 to the exient that these are applied to clwitable objects.
BirrERN PRESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES (CONTINUED) Restricted Unre¥tricted Fund$ Funds 2025 2025 Total Fund 2025 2a Dollations and legaeies 2b Intome from charitsble *ctivilies Othcr incom¢ 72 72 72 72 2¢ Illvestment ineome Bank interest Total Income 72 72 Restrltted Fullds 2024 Unrestricted Funds 2024 Totsl Funds 2024 2a DonatioDS Ydnd legacies 4.601 4.601 4.601 4,601 2b Income frnm ¢haritxble adiviti& Othcr illcom¢ 270 270 270 270 Investment income Bank Int¢st Total Itscome 4171 10
BITfERN PRESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES {CONTINUED) Eipendiknre Restricted Unrestricted Funds Funds 2025 2025 Total Funds 2025 Cost of rnising fullds: Administrdtive ¢osts Governance costs (Not¢ 5) Staff costs EipeDditure ou cbaritabk activities". Administtation costs Stsff costs 2J44 Goverllydnce Costs Trustees, expenses 57 57 EmployeeB 2025 2024 Wages and salaries Social security costs Average number of employeej No trustee or r50 connected with a fami]y or business connection with a tTUStee reLeived mUneratIon in the y&Ar, directly or indirectly. Expenscs reimbutsed in resp¢ct of travel and subsistence were paid to twstccs during the year amounting to £57. No indemnity insurance was in place during the year. Indemnty insurance comm¢nced in July 2025.
BITTERN PRESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES (CONTINUED) Creditors 2025 2024 Oth¢r Creditors and accnJa15 928 928 2,842 Allatysig of net assets betsveea funds Re8trittsJ Funds Unrestri¢te41 HeIatiOn Funds Reserve Total FuDd$ 2025 Cash at bank and in hand Other net current assetsl liabililies Totsl 2,936 920 2.936 920 2,016 2,016 2024 Cash at bank and in hand Other net current as5cIs1 liabilities 4.869 (2,842) 4.869 (2.842) Total 2,027 2027 12
BlERN PRESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 INCOME AND EXPENDITUREACCOUNT 2025 2024 In¢ome Donations and legacies Oth¢r incoming r¢sOUtres Inve5tm¢nt income Total Income 4,601 270 72 72 Expenditure Royalty payments Mailing expen5CS Travel and subsistence tEgal and professional fees Accountancy services 27 1.251 56 690 Totsl Expenditure Net {expenseVincome and net movement ill funds for the yearlperiod 83 2.844 (li) 2.027 13